An Investigation into the Effect of VLE on Student Learning Experience

This report investigates the impact of virtual learning environments (VLEs) on students, focusing on their influence on education. The introduction outlines the aim, research objectives, questions, and rationale, highlighting the significance of VLEs in contemporary education. A literature review explores the concept of VLEs, contemporary techniques, and obstacles to effective usage, emphasizing accessibility, flexibility, and affordability. The methodology employs an onion research framework, utilizing a positivist philosophy, deductive approach, online survey strategy, and quantitative data collection. Primary data analysis is conducted through an online survey, assessing students' understanding, awareness, and perceptions of VLEs, including benefits, advantages, and barriers. The findings reveal insights into students' experiences and challenges within VLEs. Secondary data analysis is also included. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and implications of the research. The report underscores the importance of addressing challenges like student isolation and technical difficulties to enhance the effectiveness of VLEs in providing quality education. The research is valuable for understanding the effect of virtual learning environment and creating effective virtual training sessions.

Digital skills and
research method

Table of Contents
Title: An investigation into the effect of Virtual learning environment on students.......................1
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
Literature Review...................................................................................................................2
Theme 1 : Concept of virtual learning environment and it's role in providing quality education
to students ..............................................................................................................................2
Theme 2: Current techniques used to create virtual learning environment ...........................3
Theme 3: Obstacles in effective usage of virtual learning environment ...............................3
Methodology ..........................................................................................................................4
Primary Data Analysis ...........................................................................................................5
Secondary data analysis .........................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................7
REFRENCES ..................................................................................................................................8

Title: An investigation into the effect of Virtual learning environment on
students.
INTRODUCTION
Educational institutions are using virtual learning environment to teach students. Virtual
learning environment refers to a system that offers educators digitally based solutions used for
building and maintaining interactive learning environment. Increasing usage of virtual learning
environment in prestigious educational institutions all across the globe has various effect on
students. This research aims to understand the effect of virtual learning environment on students
by analysing and collecting both primary and secondary data gathered from suitable resources.
Aim: To determine the influence of virtual learning environment on students.
Research Objectives:
 To understand the concept of virtual learning environment in providing students quality
education.
 To analyse contemporary techniques used to create virtual learning environment.
 To determine barriers in effective usage of virtual learning environment to improve
educational experience of students.
Research Questions:
 What is the concept of virtual learning environment in providing students quality
education?
 What are contemporary techniques used to create virtual learning environment?
 What are the barriers faced in effective usage of virtual learning environment to improve
education experience of students?
Rationale: The reason behind conducting this research is to understand the impact of
virtual learning environment on students. This research is helpful in professional and personnel
context. In relation to the professional level, this research is highly beneficial with the main
advantage to understand the effect of virtual learning environment which could be used in
business context. In addition to this understanding the impact of virtual learning environment
will help create effective virtual training sessions and improve professional atmosphere. In case
of personnel level. This research is helpful in development of various skills which include time
management skill, communication skill, data analysis skill, and various other skills. In addition
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to this, research will help provide the information about steps required to complete a research in
an effective manner. This research will help in career progression and personality improvement
required to grow on a professional level.
Literature Review
Theme 1 : Concept of virtual learning environment and it's role in providing quality education to
students
As per the view of Puzhevich, virtual learning environment is an online platform which
enables replacement of educational process from classroom to the Internet. Virtual learning
environment solution have distinguishing characters but every virtual learning environment
solution shares some basic functions which include lesson planning and management features,
easy accessibility to digital learning material, group discussions, one on one chats with
teacher/guide, holding live classes, grading, tracking performance of the student and giving them
feedback. These functions of a virtual learning environment help educators provide quality
education to their students. One of the main features of Virtual learning environment which is
beneficial to students and helps them gain quality education is flexibility. Virtual learning
environment allows students to align their daily schedule with education as they have free access
to learning material (The Use Of Virtual Learning Environment In Education, 2020). Students
which have other priorities don't haver to sacrifice their education as virtual learning
environment enables students to receive education according to their time learn material at their
own peace. High accessibility and affordability is another factor associated with virtual learning
environment which assists every student in gaining quality education. Online learning is more
accessible and less expensive when compared to classroom learning and helps students gain
quality education. Students gain access to high quality educational material and guidance from
professional mentors. Virtual learning environment simplifies the process of management and
helps teachers and professors plan lessons, complete administrative work, track studenty
progress and engagement. This contributes in providing each student quality education as each
student as professors are able to support students throughout their academic career. Virtual
learning environment enables professors to analyse effectiveness of curriculum and evaluate
student progress easily and swiftly. This builds an educational atmosphere where progress of
every student is measured and every student is supported by faculty of the educational student to
improve continuously. Virtual learning environment is highly beneficial for educational faculty
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and students and is playing a significant role in increasing accessibility of quality education to
large number of students in the current digital world.
Theme 2: Current techniques used to create virtual learning environment
According to Fletcher and Gower, digitisation has increased global usage of virtual
learning environment to make quality education accessible to every student. Educational
institutions need to focus on utilising virtual learning environment solutions which are simple
and can be sued by students at home to not only learn but also to complete various educational
assignments. Educational institutions need to ensure that their students are using browser version
of their software and not the desktop version as it has user friendly interface and each student is
given constant experience of interacting with digital technology. Another technique which is
useful in enhancing effectiveness of virtual learning atmosphere is the practice of creating bulk
assignment and distributing the assignment in batches (9 tips for organizing a virtual learning
environment, 2020). This is quicker way of assignment distribution which improves the work life
balance of education faculty and gives them time to concentrate on student progress.
Theme 3: Obstacles in effective usage of virtual learning environment
As per the view of Best, effective usage of virtual learning environment is disrupted by
various barriers. These barriers need to addressed by teachers and other professionals from the
field of education in order to ensure that every student is given quality education. Student
isolation is one of the main barriers which stops students from accessing quality education. As
students are not able to interact with their peers and participate in a community during their
academic career, they get demotivated towards concentrating on education. Students get bored
from regular digital education and become discouraged to attending online classes regularly as
they are not able to interact with their peers. This reduces the effect of various strategies adopted
by educators to improve the educational experience of each student. This barrier needs to be
eliminated by educational institutions in order to enhance student experience. Utilisation of
online based platforms to educate students is a time consuming process despite various features
available in virtual learning solutions (5 Challenges of Online Teaching and How to Rise Above
Them, 2020). This is specially tough for professors who are technologically illiterate and have to
adjust to usage of such technology to conduct daily lessons. This barrier reduces the
effectiveness of virtual institutions and stops students from gaining quality education. Technical
difficulties is one of the most widely experienced problem in effective usage of virtual learning
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environment. Many students so not haver reliable access to digital technology which reduces
positive impact of virtual learning environment on such students. Technical difficulties interrupt
and disrupt online classes, this distances students from obtaining quality education. Educational
institutions need to find solutions for removal of such barriers in order to create a classroom
atmosphere which is advantageous to every student.
Methodology
Research methodology is the process followed by the researcher for of identifying,
selecting and analysing information. Onion research framework is used in the present research
which provides various levels of researcher methodology utilised for conducting the research.
Onion research framework is provided below:
Research Philosophy
The stance with which the research is conducted is research philosophy. Interpretivism
and positivism are two kinds of research philosophy (af Wåhlberg, 2017). This research is
conducted by using positivism as it is less time consuming and requires less resources.
Research approach
Procedure of completing the research is defined as the research approach. Deductive and
Inductive research approach are two types of research approach . Deductive research approach is
used for this research as it helps in development of comprehensive understanding of effect of
virtual learning environment on students.
Research strategy
Experimental research, interviews, survey or a systematic research interviews are part of
the research strategy. The research strategy for the present study is online survey as it enables
reliable data collection to gain relevant research findings.
Data collection
Information gathering techniques are part for data collection. Qualitative and quantitative
data collection are the main option of the researcher (Dodds and Hess, 2020). This research
utilises quantitative data collection as it provides objective results.
Time Horizon
Longitudinal and cross-sectional approach are two types of approach to time horizon.
Cross-sectional approach is adopted for this investigation for swift completion.
Data sources
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Collection of primary and secondary data from relevant resources is completed in this
part of the research methodology. Primary data sources which includes online survey is utilised
in the present investigation.
Data analysis
The procedure of describing, depicting and evaluating data. Frequency and thematic data
analysis are two approaches for data analysis. Frequency research analysis is adopted for this
research as it helps the research conduct unbiased research.
Research sampling
Selection of ample group is conducting in research sampling for effective data collection.
Probabilistic and non-probabilistic are two types of research sampling methods (Brown and
Tidy, 2019). Probabilistic method is utilised for this research as it is less time consuming.
Research instruments
Tools used to measure and analyse information are used in this part of the research
methodology. Questionnaire, observation, online surveys, interviews are various types of
research instruments. This research utilises online surveys as it is cots effective.
Primary Data Analysis
Online Survey
Question 1: Do you understand the concept of virtual learning
environment?
Frequency
a) Yes 6
b) No 8
5

Interpretation: From the above graph it is determined that out of 15 respondents 8 know
about concept of virtual learning environment while 6 respondents are not aware of the concept.
Question 2: Are you aware of the benefits of virtual learning
environment?
Frequency
a) Yes 10
b) No 5
Interpretation: From the above graph it is concluded that out of 15 respondents 10
understand the benefit of virtual learning environment.
Question 3: What is the primary advantage of virtual learning Frequency
6
a) Yes b) No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Column B
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Column C

environment?
a) Accessibility 8
b) Affordability 3
c) Flexibility 4
Interpretation: From the above graph it is concluded that out of 15 respondents 8
determine accessibility to be the maim advantage of virtual learning environment while 3 believe
affordability to be the primary advantage and according to 4 it is flexibility.
Question 4: What is the impact of virtual learning environment on
education ?
Frequency
a) Increased quality education 10
b) Quick learning
7
a) Accessibility b) Affordability c) Flexibility
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Column C

Interpretation: From the above graph it is analysed that out of 15 respondents 10 state
that virtual learning environment has improved quality of their education while according to 5
respondents virtual learning environment does not have affect on the quality of their education.
Question 5: What is the main barrier effective usage of virtual
learning environment ?
Frequency
a) Isolation 4
b) Technological illiteracy of teaching staff 4
c) Technical difficulties 7
8
a) Increased quality education b) Quick learning
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Column H

Interpretation: From the above graph it is concluded that out of 15 respondents 4
determine isolation to be the main barrier in effective usage of virtual learning environment
while 4 believe to technological illiteracy of teaching staff be the primary barrier and according
to 7 it is flexibility.
Secondary data analysis
The secondary data analysis is conducted with the help of thematic data analysis. Virtual
learning environment has various advantages which can be exploited by educational institutions
to provide high quality education to large number of students. Contemporary techniques are used
in order to ensure effective usage of virtual learning environment and educational institutions
need to remove various barriers associated with virtual learning environment in ortder to
improve student experience.
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a) Isolation
b) Technological illiteracy of teaching staff
c) Technical difficulties
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

CONCLUSION
From the above research it is determined that virtual learning environment is being used
by various educational institutions in order to provide quality education. Virtual learning
environment provides advantages to both teachers and students and plays an important role in
increasing access to quality education to a large number of students. This research utilises
research onion framework for completing the research which includes information about
research methodology used in this investigation. Virtual learning environment consists of various
barriers which need to be understood and removed by educational faculty member in order to
provide quality education to students.
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REFRENCES
Books and journals
af Wåhlberg, A., 2017. Driver behaviour and accident research methodology: unresolved
problems. CRC Press.
Alkhalifah, A., 2017. A research Methodology to Explore the Adoption of E-Government.
International Journal of Computer Engineering and Information Technology, 9(9),
p.216.
Brown, B.H. and Tidy, J.A., 2019. The diagnostic accuracy of colposcopy–A review of research
methodology and impact on the outcomes of quality assurance. European Journal of
Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 240, pp.182-186.
Dodds, S. and Hess, A.C., 2020. Adapting research methodology during COVID-19: lessons for
transformative service research. Journal of Service Management.
Online
The Use Of Virtual Learning Environment In Education, 2020. [Online] Available through
<https://scand.com/company/blog/the-use-of-virtual-learning-environment-in-
education/>
5 Challenges of Online Teaching (and How to Rise Above Them), 2020. [Online] Available
through <https://www.3plearning.com/blog/5-common-pitfalls-distance-teaching-
avoid/>
9 tips for organizing a virtual learning environment, 2020. [Online] Available through
<https://www.iste.org/explore/innovator-solutions/9-tips-organizing-virtual-learning-
environment>
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